Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batter, has offered his insights into what he perceives as a vulnerability in Yashasvi Jaiswal's batting approach, particularly when facing high-quality bowlers in demanding conditions. Pujara's analysis suggests that Jaiswal, while immensely talented, needs to temper his aggression and prioritize spending more time at the crease, allowing the game to unfold rather than forcing the pace.
Pujara's assessment comes after Jaiswal's impressive start to his Test career, which included a remarkable 161 off 297 deliveries in the second innings of a Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. However, the young opener has since experienced a dip in form, struggling to convert starts into substantial scores and often falling prey to early dismissals.
Pujara notes that Jaiswal appears to be "rushing things" and "trying to play too many shots" early in his innings. He emphasizes the importance of shot selection, particularly in the crucial first 5-10 overs, advising Jaiswal to play shots only when he is "absolutely certain" of their execution. According to Pujara, Jaiswal seems to be in a hurry to score runs, aiming for a quick start and looking to get those initial 15-20 runs rapidly.
Pujara draws a comparison to Virender Sehwag, the legendary Indian opener known for his aggressive stroke play. While Sehwag was renowned for his attacking approach, he also possessed the discipline to select the right deliveries to attack, ensuring that he only played shots when the ball was in his "zone". Pujara suggests that Jaiswal is attempting to "force shots," often trying to drive deliveries that are not pitched up, a strategy that has led to his downfall on several occasions.
Pujara advises Jaiswal to "calm down and spend more time at the crease". He believes that by showing confidence in his defense, Jaiswal will create more opportunities to score runs. When a batter respects the bowlers and defends well, they will begin pitching the ball further up to try and take a wicket, which is when the batter can capitalize and play those drives. He points to KL Rahul's precise driving of overpitched deliveries as an example of the approach Jaiswal should adopt.
Pujara's analysis suggests that England's bowlers, known for their accuracy and ability to exploit even the slightest of weaknesses, will be keenly aware of Jaiswal's tendency to be overly aggressive early in his innings. According to Pujara, England bowlers simply have to "wait for a mistake". By maintaining consistent pressure and bowling disciplined lines and lengths, they can frustrate Jaiswal and induce him into playing a rash shot, leading to his dismissal.
Pujara's comments highlight the importance of patience and adaptability in Test cricket. While Jaiswal's aggressiveintent can be a valuable asset, he must also develop the ability to assess conditions, understand the match situation, and adjust his approach accordingly. By learning to temper his aggression and prioritize building a solid foundation, Jaiswal can unlock his full potential and become a consistent run-scorer in Test cricket.